CN113632304B

CN113632304B - Battery module frame configuration

Info

Publication number: CN113632304B
Application number: CN201980072073.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·柯林斯; N·C·温; K·巴特菲尔德
Original assignee: Rivian IP Holdings LLC
Current assignee: Rivian IP Holdings LLC
Priority date: 2018-11-13
Filing date: 2019-11-13
Publication date: 2023-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-13
Also published as: US20220200087A1; US20200152929A1; CN113632304A; WO2020102361A1; US11276898B2; DE112019005691T5

Abstract

A battery system includes a battery frame, a battery module, and a polymer seat. The battery frame includes a horizontal bottom plate and a plurality of members extending from the bottom plate in a vertical direction. The battery module includes at least one battery cell enclosed inside a body of the battery module. The battery module also includes an attachment surface fixedly attached to the body and one or more supports extending downwardly from the body. The attachment surface is fixedly attached to one or more of the plurality of members to create a force on the one or more supports in the direction of the base plate. The polymer seat is fixedly attached to one or more supports or battery frames and removably contacts the other of the one or more supports or battery frames. The polymer seat is compressed in response to the force.

Description

Battery module frame configuration

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application requests the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.62/760,463 filed on date 2018, 11 and 13, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to battery module frame configurations, and more particularly to battery module frame configurations that provide blind access support and protection to battery cells in a battery module.

Disclosure of Invention

Current electric vehicles typically package a large number of battery cells into a battery module. The battery unit provides and/or supplements driving power for the vehicle. However, vehicles have limited space for these battery modules, and the battery cells are often damaged due to the impact of the vehicle during operation. In addition, the structural support provided for these battery modules in a vehicle often makes it very difficult to access certain portions of these battery modules for installing, repairing, replacing, or maintaining the batteries in these modules. It is therefore necessary to protect the battery module during operation of the vehicle, as well as to provide a universal structural support for the module of the vehicle that allows easy access to the module.

In view of the foregoing, disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing blind access support and protection for batteries.

In some embodiments, a battery system according to the present disclosure includes a battery frame including a horizontal base plate and a plurality of members extending from the base plate in a vertical direction. The battery system further includes a battery module, a body, an attachment surface fixedly attached to the body, and one or more supports extending downwardly from the body, wherein the battery module includes at least one battery cell, wherein the at least one battery cell is enclosed within the body, wherein the attachment surface is fixedly attached to one or more of the plurality of members to generate a force on the one or more supports in a direction of the base plate. The battery module further includes a polymer seat, wherein the polymer seat is fixedly attached to one or more of the support or the battery frame and removably contacts the other of the one or more support or the battery frame, and wherein the polymer seat is compressed in response to the force.

In some embodiments, the at least one battery cell comprises a plurality of battery cells. In some embodiments, the at least one battery module further comprises a coolant path. In some embodiments, the coolant path includes a cooling manifold.

In some embodiments, the attachment surface extends along a parallel plane to a top plane of the plurality of members. In some embodiments, the attachment surface interfaces with an upper surface of at least one of the plurality of members.

In some embodiments, the one or more supports include two supports extending downwardly from opposite sides of the body. In some embodiments, one or more of the supports are inclined proximate the bottom of the base plate, and the battery frame includes a corresponding inclined surface.

In some embodiments, the angle of the one or more supports and the corresponding inclined surface of the battery frame have substantially the same angle. In some embodiments, the corresponding inclined surface of the battery frame includes a surface of one or more of the plurality of members such that the polymer seat attached to the one or more supports rests on the surface of the one or more of the plurality of members.

In some embodiments, the material of the polymer seat is selected to be elastomeric to dampen vibrations associated with vehicle operation. In some embodiments, a polymer seat is fixedly attached to each of the one or more supports and removably contacts the battery frame. In some embodiments, the polymer seat is fixedly attached to the battery frame and removably contacts each of the one or more supports.

In some embodiments, the plurality of members extend vertically at an angle substantially perpendicular to the horizontal floor. In some embodiments, the plurality of members includes a front member, a rear member, and a plurality of opposing side members. In some embodiments, a plurality of cross members extend between the side members, wherein the battery frame and the cross members define a plurality of cavities.

In some embodiments, a battery module is attached within a first cavity of the plurality of cavities, and wherein another battery module is attached within a second cavity of the plurality of cavities.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method for providing blind access support and protection for a battery module including a body and a battery cell enclosed inside the body. The method includes placing a battery module within a cavity of a battery frame, wherein an attachment surface at a bottom portion of the battery module contacts the bottom portion of the battery frame via a polymer seat and the attachment surface of the battery module contacts a member of the battery frame; fixedly attaching the battery module to the battery frame via the attachment surface and contact with the member, wherein the attachment generates a force at a bottom portion of the battery frame; and causing compression of the polymer seat in response to the force.

In some embodiments, the method includes fixedly attaching a polymer seat to a bottom of the battery module, wherein the polymer seat removably contacts the battery frame.

In some embodiments, the method includes fixedly attaching a polymer seat to a bottom portion of the battery frame, wherein the polymer seat removably contacts the battery module.

Drawings

The present disclosure in accordance with one or more embodiments is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and depict only typical or exemplary embodiments. These drawings are provided to facilitate an understanding of the concepts disclosed herein and should not be considered to limit the breadth, scope, or applicability of these concepts. It is noted that for clarity and ease of illustration, the drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

Fig. 1 depicts an exemplary battery module according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 depicts an exemplary battery frame according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 depicts a battery system showing a cross section of a battery frame having a plurality of battery modules mounted therein, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 depicts a close-up view of the cross-section of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart of a method for providing blind access support and protection to a battery module according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Systems and methods for providing blind access support and protection for battery cells are disclosed herein. In the present disclosure, the battery cells are located within a battery frame that is positioned and designed to attach and protect the battery cells while providing structural support for the vehicle. The battery cells may be part of a module that includes other components such as a control system and for battery cooling, and the battery cells may be densely packed within a frame. Thus, such attachment of the battery module to the battery frame may be at least partially "blind," e.g., such that a technician, robot, or assembly jig approaches a portion of the battery module and frame for attachment by both hands, tools, and conventional fasteners, with no or very limited opportunity. In some embodiments, the battery frame may form a plurality of cavities for inserting a plurality of battery modules such that the top attachment portion of each battery module contacts an upper portion of the frame and the bottom portion of each battery module contacts a lower portion of the frame. However, the bottom portion of the lower portion of the battery module that contacts the frame is blind and inaccessible. This may be particularly the case where the base plate or members comprising a single integral part are permanently attached to the lower portion of the frame such that there is no bottom opening to the frame during assembly.

In exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the frame structure may be designed to secure and support the battery module while limiting the impact and vibration effects of the vehicle on the battery during normal use (e.g., to prevent wear and damage), including protecting the battery from crush during a collision scenario. In some embodiments, the battery system may include a removable top cover and a permanent bottom plate of the frame. Thus, the bottom of the battery module may not be accessible at the bottom of the battery pack to mount fasteners for secure attachment of the battery module to the frame. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, proper installation and coupling of the battery module in this blind lower region of the battery system may be facilitated by one or more supports of the battery module and a polymer member coupled between the supports and the lower portion of the battery frame, such as a floor and/or vertical member of the battery frame. The polymer member may be fixedly attached to one or more supports of the battery module or the battery frame, allowing easy insertion and removal of the battery module.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the polymeric member is made of an elastic material such as foam, sponge, or solid. When the battery module is installed into the battery pack, the relative positions of the battery module support and the battery frame may be such that the polymer members are compressed between the battery module structure and the battery frame structure. This compression of the polymer members compensates for manufacturing and assembly tolerances (e.g., manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the modules, cell frames, cross members, etc.) due to the ability of the polymer members to compress while still providing support and coupling to the cell modules. Thus, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, blind attachment via the support and polymer member may provide firm and soft support for the module and inhibit the direct transmission of impact, vibration, and noise effects from the vehicle to the module (limiting movement of the battery module within the frame) without the need for fastening or other access in the blind portion of the battery system. In this manner, the bottom plate of the battery frame may be a permanent (e.g., integral or welded) component for providing the desired structural characteristics without having to access components located near the bottom plate. In addition, since the polymer member is coupled to only one side (module or frame) and does not constrain the module, the battery module can be easily removed from the battery pack only by pulling it out of the battery frame.

Fig. 1 depicts an exemplary battery module 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, in one example, the battery module 100 includes a body 102 having a first end 110 as a forward portion and a second end 112 opposite the first end 110 as a rearward portion. The body 102 also includes a top portion 114 and a bottom portion 116. In the example shown in fig. 1, the body 102 is shaped as a right angle prism in the area where the support members are provided. In one embodiment, one or more battery cells are enclosed inside the body 102 of the battery module 100. In some embodiments, the battery cell may be cylindrically shaped. In some embodiments, the battery cells may be prismatic (e.g., rectangular).

In one example, as shown in fig. 1, the battery module 100 includes two layers of battery cells, a top layer 120 and a bottom layer 130, stacked on top of each other and separated by a cooling plate 140. Specifically, the first layer 120 is located in the top portion 114 and the bottom layer 130 is located in the bottom portion 116. In some embodiments, the cells in the top layer 120 and bottom layer 130 are oriented in opposite directions. The cooling plates 140 serve to circulate coolant between the top and bottom layers 120 and 130, respectively, to effectively transfer excess heat from the cells and maintain the operating temperature for optimal operation of the battery cells. In one embodiment, the battery cells in the top layer 120 and bottom layer 130 are coupled to the cooling plate 140 using any suitable coupling element. In some embodiments, the coupling element may be an adhesive, a non-conductive cover, or both. The coupling member may provide good thermal conductivity between the battery cell and the cooling plate 140. As shown, the coolant inlet 150 and coolant outlet 160 are attached to the cooling plate 140 in the bottom portion 116 of the module 100.

Although not shown, the battery module may also include other components such as a controller and electrical contacts/connections, such as protection switches and other circuitry to regulate the charging and power source of the battery. In one embodiment, the battery module has a body that provides structural support for its components. As shown in fig. 1, the battery module 100 may also include attachment surfaces fixedly attached to the body 102 for attachment to a battery frame 200 (fig. 2), such as attachment surfaces 170 and 180 extending from the first and second ends 110 and 120 of the body 102 in fig. 1. It should be understood that this attachment is merely exemplary, and that the attachment may be performed in other suitable ways to fixedly attach the battery module to the battery frame as described herein.

As shown in fig. 1, the supports 190 and 192, for example, a front support and a rear support, respectively, extend from the battery module body 100 and have an angular shape designed to meet corresponding portions of the battery frame 200 (fig. 2). In one example, the angles of the front and rear supports 190, 192, respectively, are less than 25 degrees relative to the horizontal axis. In another example, the angles of the front and rear supports 190 and 192, respectively, are about 15 degrees. In another example, the angles of the front and rear supports 190 and 192, respectively, are about 90 degrees. It should be appreciated that the angle measurement is merely exemplary and that any suitable angle may be employed.

As depicted in fig. 1, the polymer seat 194 is attached to each of the supports 190 and 192 of the battery module 100 along a bottom surface such that the polymer seat 194 directly contacts the battery frame 200 (fig. 2) rather than the supports 190 and 192. Although not shown, in one embodiment, the polymer seat 194 may be attached to only one of the supports 190 and 192 of the module 100. In one embodiment, the polymer seat 194 is made of a suitable material (e.g., an elastomer), and the polymer seat 194 compresses when the battery module 100 is installed in the battery frame 200 (fig. 2). For example, the polymer seat 194 may be made of silicon, polyurethane, or neoprene. In one embodiment, the polymer seat 194 is fixedly attached to either or both of the supports 190 and 192 of the module 100 by an adhesive and is releasable from the battery frame 200 (fig. 2). Thus, in this way, the polymer seat 194 is bonded to the battery module 100.

Although not shown, in another embodiment, the polymer seat 194 is fixedly attached to the frame 200, but still releasable from the module 100 relative to the supports 190 and 192. Thus, in this manner, the polymer seat 194 is bonded to the frame 200. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the polymer seat 194 has a compression range that compensates for manufacturing and assembly tolerances (e.g., manufacturing and assembly tolerances of modules, battery frames, cross members, etc.) due to the ability of the polymer seat to compress while still providing support and coupling over a wide range of compression percentages. In one example, the compression of the polymer seat 194 is in the range of 20% to 80% compression. In another example, the compression of the polymer seat comprises about 45% compression. In some embodiments, the supports 190 and 192 are not continuous members along the respective ends of the battery module 100. For example, portions (e.g., one or more center portions) of the supports 190 and 192 may be removed to reduce the weight of the battery module. It will be appreciated that to the extent that portions of the supports 190 and 192 are removed, similar portions of the polymer seat 194 will also be removed.

Fig. 2 depicts an exemplary battery frame 200 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The frame 200 includes a bottom surface having a horizontal bottom plate 202, such as a single sheet of metal (or other suitable material) or a plurality of welded sheets of metal (or other suitable bonding material). In one embodiment, the bottom plate 202 of the frame 200 is permanently attached to the frame and provides the desired structural rigidity to the vehicle, but access to the bottom portion of the frame 200 may be limited during installation of the battery module because access is not available through the bottom side of the technician and robot. A plurality of side members 204 extend vertically from the floor 202 to form a frame 200, which may include front, side and rear portions of the frame and a cross member 206 connected between the outer portions of the frame 200. Thus, the cross members 206 extend between the side members 204, forming a cavity in the frame 200. Although not shown in fig. 2, the cross members may also extend between the front and rear of the vehicle and/or may form a grid, depending on the desired design and support considerations of the vehicle. Further, it should be understood that the battery frame depicted in fig. 2 is exemplary, and that the battery frame may include a variety of suitable shapes and proportions based on the desired end use and structural characteristics.

In one embodiment, the upper surfaces of side members 204 and cross members 206 include suitable attachment surfaces for interfacing with attachment surfaces 170 and 180, respectively, of battery module 100. In one example, the upper surfaces of the side members 204 and the cross members 206 each include threaded holes 208 that allow the battery module 100 to be removably bolted within the battery frame 200. In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the battery frame 200 may include a suitable mating surface 203 (fig. 4) for interfacing with the supports 190 and 192 of the battery module 100. In some embodiments, mating surface 203 (fig. 4) is shaped at substantially the same angle as the angle of supports 190 and 192. In one embodiment, the angular shape of the supports 190 and 192 and mating surface 203 (fig. 4) provides a more desirable force distribution (e.g., at least partially orthogonal to the downward force due to the weight of the battery module and the force of the battery attachment) as opposed to a purely flat support and battery frame interface.

Fig. 3 depicts a battery system 300 showing a cross section of a battery frame in which the battery module 100 is mounted. Although four battery modules are shown, it should be understood that the number of battery modules is merely exemplary and that any suitable number of battery modules may be installed. A removable cover, such as cover 302, is also shown. Fig. 4 depicts an enlarged view of the cross section of fig. 3. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the attachment surfaces 170 and 180 of the battery module 100 rest on the upper surface of the cross member 206, while the supports 190 and 192 including the polymer seat 194 interface with the bottom angled portion of the cross member 206 (e.g., where the cross member is attached (e.g., welded) to the bottom plate 202).

As described in one embodiment, the battery module 100 is securely attached to the cross members 206 of the frame 200 by, for example, topside fastening bolts 304. In some embodiments, the attachment surfaces of adjacent battery modules are offset such that each attachment surface is individually attached by a respective fastening bolt 304. In some embodiments, the attachment surfaces of adjacent battery modules vertically overlap each other or laterally adjacent each other such that a single bolt 304 may be used to secure two attachment surfaces from adjacent battery modules. In some embodiments, two or more attachment surfaces are provided on the ends of the battery module. In some embodiments, the attachment surface forms a nesting pattern with the attachment surface of an adjacent battery module.

In some embodiments, the design of the battery frame and battery modules described herein provides convenient access to the top of the battery modules, which can be easily removed using the exposed topside fastening bolts 304. It should be appreciated that the fastening bolts are merely exemplary and that any suitable fastener may be utilized. In one embodiment, the weight of the battery module 100 and the downward force of the attachment cause the polymer seat 194 to compress between the supports 190 and 192 of the battery module 100 and the corresponding mating surface 203 of the battery frame 200. In this way, therefore, not only is the battery module 100 secured within the battery frame 200 during operation of the vehicle, but it is also easily installed, maintained, and replaced as needed.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart 500 of a method of providing blind access support and protection for a battery module. In some embodiments, a battery system includes a battery module having a body enclosing at least one battery cell and a frame supporting the battery module. As shown in fig. 1, the battery cells are enclosed within a top layer 120 and a bottom layer 130 of the body 102 of the battery module. In addition, the attachment surfaces 170 and 180 are fixedly attached to the body 102 for attachment to the battery frame 200 in fig. 2. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, the polymer seat 194 is attached to the bottom portion of the battery module 100 such that the polymer seat 194 directly contacts the battery frame 200 in fig. 2. In another embodiment, in fig. 2, a polymer seat is attached to the bottom portion of the battery frame 200. In addition, as shown in fig. 2, the battery frame 200 includes side members 204 forming a plurality of cavities within the frame 200.

At step 502, the battery module is placed within the cavity of the battery frame such that the attachment surface at the bottom portion of the battery module is in contact with the bottom portion of the battery frame via the polymer seat and the attachment surface is in contact with the components of the battery frame. At step 504, the battery module is fixedly attached to the battery frame via the attachment surface and contact with the member such that the attachment generates a force at a bottom portion of the battery frame. As discussed above, for example, the force causes the polymer seat to compress between the battery module and the frame. At step 506, compression of the polymer seat is triggered in response to the force. In this way, therefore, not only is the battery module 100 secured within the battery frame 200 during operation of the vehicle, but it is also easily installed, maintained, and replaced as needed.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this disclosure and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The above embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. The present disclosure may take many forms other than those explicitly described herein. Therefore, it is emphasized that the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically disclosed methods, systems and devices, but is intended to include variations and modifications of the present application within the spirit of the following claims.

Claims

1. A battery system, comprising:

a battery frame, the battery frame comprising:

a horizontal bottom plate; and

a plurality of members extending from the base plate in a vertical direction;

a battery module, the battery module comprising:

at least one battery cell;

a body, wherein the at least one battery cell is enclosed inside the body;

an attachment surface extending laterally from and fixedly attached to the top portion of the body; and

one or more supports extending downwardly from the body, wherein the attachment surface is fixedly attached to one or more of the plurality of members to create a force on the one or more supports in the direction of the base plate; and

a polymer seat, wherein the polymer seat is fixedly attached to the one or more supports or the battery frame and removably contacts the other of the one or more supports or the battery frame, and wherein the polymer seat is compressed in response to the force.

2. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the at least one battery cell comprises a plurality of battery cells.

3. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the at least one battery module further comprises a coolant path.

4. The battery system of claim 3, wherein the coolant path comprises a cooling manifold.

5. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the attachment surface extends along a parallel plane to a top plane of the plurality of members.

6. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the attachment surface interfaces with an upper surface of at least one of the plurality of members.

7. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the one or more supports comprise two supports extending downward from opposite sides of the body.

8. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the one or more supports are inclined proximate a bottom of the base plate and the battery frame includes a corresponding inclined surface.

9. The battery system of claim 8, wherein the angle of the one or more supports and the corresponding sloped surface of the battery frame have substantially the same angle.

10. The battery system of claim 8, wherein the corresponding sloped surface of the battery frame comprises a surface of one or more of the plurality of members such that the polymer seat attached to the one or more supports rests on a surface of one or more of the plurality of members.

11. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of members extend vertically at an angle substantially perpendicular to the horizontal floor.

12. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the material of the polymer seat is selected to be an elastomer to dampen vibrations associated with vehicle operation.

13. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the polymer seat is fixedly attached to each of the one or more supports and removably contacts the battery frame.

14. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the polymer seat is fixedly attached to the battery frame and removably contacts each of the one or more supports.

15. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of members comprises a front member, a rear member, and a plurality of opposing side members.

16. The battery system of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of cross members extending between the side members, wherein the battery frame and the cross members define a plurality of cavities.

17. The battery system of claim 16, wherein the battery module is attached within a first of the plurality of cavities, and wherein another battery module is attached within a second of the plurality of cavities.

18. A method for providing blind access support and protection to a battery module, the battery module comprising a body and a battery cell enclosed within the body, the method comprising:

placing the battery module within a cavity of a battery frame, wherein one or more supports at a bottom portion of the battery module contact the bottom portion of the battery frame via a polymer seat and an attachment surface of the battery module extending laterally from a top portion of the body contacts a member of the battery frame;

fixedly attaching the battery module to the battery frame via the attachment surface and contact with the member, wherein the attachment generates a force at a bottom portion of the battery frame; and

compression of the polymer seat is caused in response to the force.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising fixedly attaching the polymer seat to a bottom of the battery module, wherein the polymer seat removably contacts the battery frame.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising fixedly attaching the polymer seat to the bottom portion of the battery frame, wherein the polymer seat removably contacts the battery module.